Following the tough end to their fall season, the Grasshoppers were able to make some key moves that could provide the difference maker for their 2012 campaign.

     Despite losing pitcher Will Weitze, 3B Matt Doyle, C/OF Paul Gaza, and outfielder Billy Donovan on a full time basis, they were able to bounce back by acquiring former Jackhammer Erik Boykin, who will add some much needed power to the middle of the lineup.  To fill the void left in the infield, Vinnie Malba joined the squad to lockdown third base, and his ability to drive the ball to all fields will provide a spark to the second half of the lineup.  Joe Pawlikowski also joined the team to give the team some depth at catcher, especially with the recent news that Pete Foster will most likely be out for the season with two herniated disks in his back.

     Jimmy Clayton and Jeremy Cook, both former Cy Young award winners, return to the forefront of the team’s rotation.  Without Weitze, the Hoppers now look to the team’s roster for pitching support, developing CF Vinny Avenoso, 2B Mike Santaspirt, and IF Jamie Bloch into bona fide relievers.  However, the team is currently in talks to potentially add another arm to the team.

     To round out the roster, Mike Schmidt returns to man shortstop, Joe Capriotti and Rich Burzynski to patrol the outfield, and Emver Hidalgo, who came back full time in the fall after taking last spring off.  Fortunately for the team, clutch hitter Matt Santaspirt will be back behind the plate, though there was some doubt surrounding his team status earlier this month, when a possible job switch would have moved him to Florida.

     All in all, things are looking up for the Grasshoppers this season.  Last spring they scored 130 runs as a team, which was only good for 5^th best in the division.  In the fall, they led the division with 84 runs scored.  With their new weapons in the lineup, it looks like the team can certainly meet, if not exceed their run production from the past two seasons.  Combining their new look offense with their top of the line pitching and defense, the Hoppers are primed to make another run at the championship in 2012!